PAS Sabah
refers to the various statements made by BN leaders and
Mayor-designate for KK City relating to the prevailing
squatter problems. The latest of such statements were
published in your esteemed newspaper today, 15.1.2000.

PAS Sabah
regretted the attitude of BN leaders for trying to make a
blanket assumption that all squatters are illegal
inhabitants and that all squatter areas do not qualify
for gazetting as traditional kampungs. This attitude
truly reflects the true colour of 'post-election' BN
leaders.

Pre-election
time the BN leaders made all sort of promises to
alleviate the plight and to please the squatters and went
to the extent of even channeling subsidies for the supply
of electricity and water pipes to them. The squatters
were also assured that if they vote for BN candidates in
their respective areas, their place of squatting will be
approved as a kampung settlement. But as election time
had passed by and the BN leaders have secured the
squatters' votes and formed the government, the issue of
resolving the squatters' woes took another opposite
dimension. The squatters were told that they will face
eviction to pave way for development projects. For those
who were fated with the present tragic event - fire blaze
in Kg. Lembaga Padi and Pulau Gaya- they will not be
allowed to rebuild their houses by the authorities. Is
this decision a kind of gesture from BN leaders to the
squatters as render for the votes they (the squatters)
have given?

To give a
fair comment to the squatters, I have this much to say:
'Blame yourselves for the decision you have made in
reinstating the BN government. What the BN leaders are
doing now - going against your interest -are as a result
of your own 'shares' in the ballot boxes in the past
election.' We in the opposition have been constantly
reminding you of the need for a new government, a
government that have the people's interest at their
heart, or at least a strong opposition representative
that will actively and strongly fight for the cause of
the people. But all this went unheeded simply because we
couldn't provide you with all the goodies as being done
by the BN leaders.

PAS Sabah
reiterates its call to the BN government to make a
distinction between squatters of illegal inhabitants and
that of the indigenous people that have resided and
occupied State land for centuries.They must be allowed to
continue with their tradition of living in a kampung
atmosphere as this will enhance their bond of
neighbourhood.

An example of
the BN's government harsh action towards the indigenous
squatters was demonstrated in the demolition of their
houses in Kg. Matabian in Kota Kinabalu several years
ago. This proved to the people that the BN leaders only
cared to give away lands to investors but adopted a
'couldn't careless attitude' on its own people.